Artist info
Genre
Hip Hop, Electronic
Sounds like
Pez, Matik, Aesop Rock
band members
Me & Seth
Influences
YOU
Website
Bio
Emerging from Melbourne’s live hip hop scene with the November release of his highly-anticipated debut EP, The Waiter Minute, Seth Sentry has a busy summer ahead, finalising his debut full-length (due for an early 2009 release) whist touring and promoting in support of the EP. The culmination of several years’ involvement in the local scene and a strong musical partnership with respected Melbourne producer Matik, The Waiter Minute EP has quickly garnered widespread media attention and favourable reviews: “Every track on the release welcomes you into the eyes of the 25 year old Melbourne MC with an outlook on life like no other I have heard … along with his hypnotic voice and flow change ups, the entire EP stands to create tracks with an incredibly high re-play value.” -HipHopSphere Introduced to the live circuit in 2003 through performances with local hip hop/drum and bass outfit D.S.O.L, Seth quickly became a fixture at Elf Tranzporter’s seminal ‘Phat Logic’ night from 2003-‘05, where he honed a freestyle technique that ultimately gained him local prominence through a third placing in the 2005 Revolver Battles competition. By this time he also organized and kicked off the successful weekly ‘Sideshow Freaks’ night at The Old Colonial in Fitzroy. Featuring a weekly line up of emcees and acts from around Australia, it was here he met and began a working relationship with talented hip hop producer Matik and Melbourne emcee Pez, leading to an appearance on ‘Lazy’ from the Forthwrite Mixtape (2007) and a guest feature on Pez's hit album A Mind Of My Own (2008). Truly independent and self-funded, Seth scribbled down rhymes for many of the tracks comprising The Waiter Minute on docket pads and serviettes during breaks between food and beverage orders at his day job at local restaurants. Seth Sentry creates energetic songs with complex, unpredictable and challenging lyrics, held together with a strong narrative flow; a clear but sophisticated story emerges from each song on The Waiter Minute, while Matik's top-shelf production skills make each song coherent and accessible. Seth's stark, sophisticated narratives often confront controversial and deeply personal themes, yet the emcee’s mature but quirky sense of humour is always in evidence.
Featured Artist
2009
16
Mar
Seth Sentry
(- The Waiter Minute ep ,
- Matik ,
- aesop rock , ...
Melbourne, VIC
Truly independent and self-funded, Seth scribbled down rhymes for many of the tracks comprising The Waiter Minute on docket pads and serviettes during breaks between food and beverage orders at his day job at local restaurants in Melbourne.
Tell us about your music – how did you develop your sound?
Well, I guess I started out just spittin stupid freestyles at parties and just generally trying to be the center of attention. I was pretty much the only rapper in my town (well at least that I or my friends knew of) so I had nothing to compare it to. I thought I was pretty cool though haha. Then I met this kiwi guy, Joni. He freestyled as well. But much, much better than me. This became my driving force I just kept practicing and practicing. After a while I decided to start writing rhymes, I guess I never had any real intention to record them or anything, I just liked writing. I always liked creating short stories as a kid, and so I started trying to write short stories, but also make them rhyme. I hadn't heard any other Aussie rappers at this stage, as my hometown was quite a musical wasteland. So I just kind of developed my own style, borrowing a little from some of my favourite international artists. Looking back on it now, it was still a very occa style of rap, with short sharp syllables and a definite twang. One night, I was jamming with these older kids who played in a local funk band. One of the dudes was like "man, you can really rap. But you sound like a complete bogan. If you extend your syllables and rap with a bit of melody, it'll soften it up" I took that on board and started concentrating on trying to make my flow more melodic. Nowadays that's just the way I flow, I don't really think about it.
And your rhymes?
Like I said, as a kid I loved writing short stories. So I kind of applied that to my song-writing. I really enjoy hearing a song with a strong narrative, it just gives it that replay value I think. I mean, I'm not always gonna write a concept track. But I at least try to write the lyrics with a beginning and an end. I think rap sometimes gets written off as "lazy music". and sometimes I guess I might have to agree with that. I feel a lot of stuff coming out at the moment doesn't really focus on the lyrics at all. I mean, it still sounds great and all, but I feel that it's a little bit shallow. There's no reason for me to really want to listen to it more than a couple of times. That's why I've always been about the lyrics man, straight up. Most important thing to me. I'm just writing songs that I'd want to listen to.
How long have you been on the Melbourne scene?
Umm...shit, let's see. I guess I've only really been "in the scene" for about 3 years. Well, at least taking it as seriously as I do now. There was about another 3 years before that where it was all random freestyle shows and lurking in the shadows at hiphop nights. It basically used to be a matter of rockin on down to a Brunswick Street open mic night and drinking enough courage to spit something I wrote the night before. Cheap jugs plus open mics multiplied by hungry rappers equals a great night. It's simple math, and it's a damn shame there aren't more of those kind of nights. In that drunky, lurky time I met some great dudes and made some really strong musical connections. Anyway I think I've digressed, 6 years is the answer.
Who are your running mates?
The stupidly talented Matik, who continues to surprise me. There is seemingly no musical style this man can't master. He also manages to pull off the summer scarf look remarkably well. And Pez of course who you probably wouldn't have heard of. haha. Nah man, Pez is a constant source of inspiration. He's really helped me out a tremendous amount over the last few years, legend. Good blokes.
What's coming up in the future?
Hopefully hoverboards. Also A lot of gigs coming up, I love the live performance aspect of music. It really is my favourite part of the whole process. I'm hoping to really get stuck into the live shows this year, especially if this song goes well (hint, hint, request, request). Lately I've been approached to run a few workshops with less fortunate kids and helping them get their ideas out in song form which I'm really looking forward to.I'm definitely a strong advocate of getting your thoughts down on paper, I think it can be very cathartic. And then to give those thoughts a melody, well that's just something else. And of course my debut full length album, which Matik and I are hard at work on. I think people are gonna be stoked with it. We've got quite a few surprises on it. A few unexpected guests, it's going to be ridiculously dope.
Australian music is?
and always will be.
View Profile Hide InterviewReview
He looks a lot like a good mate I went to Uni with. That's probably not all that relevant. But it's another reason why this guy is a star in my books.
He looks a lot like a good mate I went to Uni with. That's probably not all that relevant. But it's another reason why this guy is a star in my books.
Review
These stories have been chipped away and crafted so meticulously. Seth's got to be one of the sharpest local storytellers i can think of, in one of the most unique styles.
These stories have been chipped away and crafted so meticulously. Seth's got to be one of the sharpest local storytellers i can think of, in one of the most unique styles.